A MAN has admitted killing Christina Rowe this morning.

Charles Byrne of Waterworks Road, Worcester, admitted manslaughter when he appeared on videolink to Warwick Crown Court.

The 24-year-old, who appeared from a hospital wearing a white top and with bushy hair, spoke to confirm his name and to confirm he could hear proceedings.

His defence advocate, Gurdeep Garcha QC, then told Judge James Burbridge said: "Your honour will have seen a report.

"In that report (a doctor) concludes that this defendant is fit to enter pleas and to stand trial, so may he be arraigned?"

The judge replied yes to this request.

Count 1, the murder of Miss Rowe between February 9 and 10 this year, was then put to Byrne to which he replied: "I plead not guilty, guilty to manslaughter."

Byrne, whose family watched on from the public gallery of court two, also pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of another person between the same dates. That person can not be identified for legal reasons.

The body of 28-year-old Miss Rowe, who lived at Cheviot Close in Tolladine, was found in the River Severn on February 10, which led West Mercia Police to close Worcester’s Diglis footbridge.

At the time tributes were left for Miss Rowe including flowers, candles and messages at a tree outside mission house in Tolladine Road.

Discussions during the hearing moved on to carrying out an investigation into Byrne’s mental state and the setting of stage dates, when the prosecution will reveal more details of their case to the defence.

Judge James Burbidge said the case would have to be adjourned for Byrne's trial of counts two and three - murder and attempted murder - which the judge said would be tried in front of the presiding judge of the circuit, Mr Justice Pepperall, with a provisional date set for November 29.

The judge then told Byrne: "At the moment I am adjourning your case for trial.

"There will be an investigation so far as your mental state from the prosecution instructing an expert who will come to see you, to write a report.

"At the moment this case will be set down in the crown court of Worcester for the 29th November.

"Other matters I have raised to ensure the matter can be proceed to that date."

The judge concluded the 15 minute hearing by telling Byrne he would be remanded in custody, adding he knew he had been transferred by the Home Office to a hospital.